Sunday, 10 May 2009

A productive week on the allotment

I haven't blogged for a few days as I have been so busy on the lottie. The runner beans and French beans are in. We have managed to pave the area in front of the greenhouse, so I no longer nearly break my neck going in and out. We have also dug and raked the area the little shed was on. It now looks nice and even, as we were given some large breeze blocks that we put at the edge of the area. We were then able to rake the soil down to the blocks and even out the slope. I now have to decide what to plant in this area. I still have so much to do.

I have planted my row of Sunflowers and in front of them some Calendulas "Art shades" so it should look very colourful when all is in bloom. I have started planting out my cutting flower bed, and the dahlias are due to go in this week. I have a few photo's below of some of our weeks work. Austin has been a very good assistant this week.

The three rows of potatoes are up, AGAIN ! I have earthed them up three times now

The successful parsnips. These were grown in pots and then transplanted

Broad beans in flower. I can't wait for the first pod to appear.

The runner beans and the french beans, planted today.


The sunflower hedge, with calendula "art shades" in front of them.

Rosie with her summer hat on. She has a wheelbarrow now that someone gave me already painted a perfect blue. I have to plant it up this week.

6 comments:

Phoenix C. said...

Calendula 'Art Shades' brings back memories - I grew them ages ago and had forgotten how gorgeous they are.

Rosie in the summer hat looks good!

Maureen said...

Hi Phoenix, It's the first time I have grown 'Art shades' so I am looking forward to them blooming. I have just been looking at your 'magic bench' post, you have a very fertile imagination. It does indeed look magical in that light though.

Prospero said...

Hi Maureen. I see you've been busy. Tell me about your parsnips. I don't think I can grow them here. They need a really long growing season and some frost in the fall. Am I on the right track? When did you start your seeds?
Your fava (broad beans) look good. I plant mine in December! I like your sunflower hedge idea. I'm thinking of doing the same thing to provide shade for my Heliconias. Hey, thanks for visiting Angelina. Whenever I take her out in public - she's an instant hit. She's such a star.
P.S. I'll keep you up to date with my corn. We are expecting rain tomorrow, so I'm hopeful the forecasters will be correct.

Jo said...

I've done exactly the same, planted some sunflowers and then Calendula 'Art Shades' in front of them. I've planted my seed direct though so we'll have to see if they germinate this way.
Your plot is looking good.

cherry said...

All that hard work is going to pay off into lots of beautiful goodies.
Have fun!
hugs, Cherry

Maureen said...

PROSPERO, about the parsnips - you are on track they do need a long growing season. They also taste better and sweeter if they are exposed to the Autumn frosts. I loved them roasted, and I make a curried parsnip soup in the winter which is warming and delicious. Please do keep me up to date with your corn and I hope you get some rain soon.
JO, great minds think alike, we will have to compare our sunflowers with the "art shades".

CHERRY, thanks for the comment, I must come and visit your blog for a catch up on what you are up too.